72 THE QUEENS COURIER • AT HOME • JANUARY 17, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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4 ways to simplify your decorating
It’s here, the season of resolutions.
You’re making plans for new routines,
working a full-time job and taking care
of your family. It’s a whirlwind but you
wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now you just have to fi nd time to
refresh your décor for the year ahead
With so much to do and so little time,
you’re naturally looking for ways to
update your home without too much
eff ort. Opt for easier with the tips below.
• Add a little color to your home. In
the summer colorful fl owers can make
any room welcoming, but in the winter
Budget checkup for homeowners and future homeowners
A budget is an important tool for fi rsttime
homebuyers and current homeowners.
Th row out any negative feeling you
may have toward budgeting. We’re here
to tell you that budgeting is a great exercise,
and can free your fi nancial mind! A
budget is meant to be a guide to where
you should spend your monthly income.
Budgeting can mean guilt-free fun. By
making and sticking to your budget, you
can spend money knowing exactly how
much you need to set aside for necessities,
and how much you can spend on
other activities! Budgets are an important
tool for the fi rst-time homebuyer
because it can help you make your move
into a home with a payment that fi ts your
lifestyle and circumstances. For existing
homeowners, budgets can help you
achieve or maintain fi nancial freedom.
Budgeting can be done by anyone - it
just takes time initially to set it up correctly.
Gather paychecks, bills and bank statements
to get started. You can write down
all this information or use a budget tool.
Start by calculating your monthly income,
which includes not only the amount you
may get from a regular paycheck, but also
any money you get in government aid,
child support or pensions. Th e next step
is to look at your bills and bank statements
to fi nd out truly what you spend
in each category. Th is accurate information
will empower you to take control of
your fi nances.
Do you see a surplus? Th at is great! You
can take that surplus and contribute to
your fi nancial goals, whether that be saving
for a down payment, taking a family
vacation or building a nest egg.
Do you see a defi cit? If so, you can
make the changes needed to balance your
budget. You can cut back on nonessential
items, like eating dinners out, to get
fi nancially fi t. Having this knowledge is
powerful and can help you take the right
steps toward fi nancial stability.
A budget is crucial for home ownership,
whether you’re a fi rst-time homebuyer
or you currently own a home. A
sound budget can relieve stress and help
you feel confi dent in the way you spend
your hard-earned income.
Courtesy BPT
your options for foliage are ... limited.
Don’t fret or forgo the opportunity
to add some natural accents to your
home. Evergreen sprigs added to vases
can bring a fl ora component to any
room and infuse a seasonal dash of
color. Forsythia is an early blooming
shrub that can provide a beautiful pop
of yellow color. Place these in the same
areas you would summer fl owers and
you’ll love the fresh eff ect they create.
• Photo-friendly options. Family photos
are a mainstay in any home and
this season is the perfect time to take
your photo displays up a notch. Freestanding
photo panels - available at
CVS - provide a new and exciting
way to showcase your favorite family
moments. Available to order at cvs.
com/photo, they off er a unique and
easy way to bring these images to life.
• Let there be light. Stringing lights
around the outside of your home is an
annual holiday tradition, but why not
keep inside lights throughout winter?
String lights through the main entertaining
areas of your home using insulated
holders, just be sure to check the
wires for fraying before you do. Th is is
a great way to add light during shorter
winter days, and because so many
lights run on batteries and can be
equipped with timers, it’s easier than
ever to conserve energy.
• Décor panels add a festive feel to
your space. What does the new year
mean to you? Whatever it is, display
it on a customizable décor panel
from Kodak Moments, also available
at CVS. Choose from a wide array of
designs and once you fi nd one you
love, your décor panels can be personalized
with text as well. Matching
the perfect message with the perfect
design will give you an accent piece
you’ll want to keep up in your house
all year long.
Start your planning today
Optimizing your decorating with the
tips above will keep your home looking
fresh without a lot of eff ort, and that’s
something that will bring you peace and
joy this year and beyond.
Courtesy BPT
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